MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Shelby County School students are returning to the classroom on Monday morning.
As we look to another school year, there is still uncertainty when it comes to who’s in charge of the state’s largest school district. The district has been in the spotlight over the past couple of years, dealing with several different superintendents, outbursts, and division.
So the question is, how did we get here?
The leadership changes began in August 2022, when Superintendent Joris Ray resigned from the top job over allegations of misconduct.
The district put in Chief Financial Officer Toni Williams as interim superintendent from that point on until early last year.
And after an 18-month, drama-filled search, Dr. Marie Feagins officially began on April 1, 2024.
Last August, four school board members were elected, and soon after, two former board members went on the record calling Feagins’ hire a mistake.
At the beginning of last year, the school board voted to oust Feagins, and Dr. Roderick Richmond stepped in as interim superintendent.
At the time, WREG asked him why he was the right person to right the ship, and he said, “For over 30 years of service, my roles have changed, but my focus and vision have not. My focus and vision have always been about the students in this great district and community.”
Dr. Richmond has held the position of interim superintendent ever since. He’s serving an 18-month contract that will end next July. The board will evaluate Richmond no later than February 1.
Monday, he has a full lineup of meet-and-greets with students, teachers, and classroom visits across the city.